Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar organized Unity Run (a mini marathon) on 5.11.2016 at 6.30 am on the occasion of birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhai Patel, Iron Man of India, as a part of week-long celebration on the occasion of Nation-wide campaign of “Rashtriya Ekta Saptah” of Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). 

Prof. R. V. Raja Kumar, Director, offered floral tribute to Sardar Vallabhai Patel and flagged off the Unity Run.  Director reiterated efforts of Govt. of India under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modiji in spreading the message of unity across the country through this initiation.  Olympian Ms Anuradha Biswal also took part in the event as a Guest of Honour and inspired students, faculty and staff participated in the Unity Run.

Marathon started from IIT Main Gate at Argul covering a distance of ~ 6 Km, by ending at Khorda Railway Station.  Around 700 students, staff and faculty along with the guests (district administration, railway staff, local dignitaries and press people) took part in the event so enthusiastically giving a perception as if the road getting painted white by blocks of a kilometer length.

Dean, Student Affairs (Prof. V. R. Pedireddi), Registrar (Dr. D. Gunasekaran) and Deputy Registrar (Mr. Debaraj Rath) of IIT Bhubaneswar, Additional Divisional Railway Manager, Khorda (Mr. S P Dwivedi) and Tahsildar of Jatni (Mr. Bijay Kumar Swain) also participated in the mini marathon, encouraging the students throughout the process.

The event is of the first of its kind in the areas of Jatni - Argul and the local community greatly appreciated the cause and indeed some people joined the run on the way.  Though there was light drizzling in the morning that did not dampen the spirit of the student to participate in the run and programme was a grand success with all the students reaching the destination with ease and healthy.